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As it happenedended1603729890

Amy Coney Barrett confirmation - Senate set to confirm Trump pick for Supreme Court week before election

Follow the latest updates

Oliver O'Connell
Monday 26 October 2020 16:31 GMT
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Donald Trump unveils Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett

With just one week before the election on 3 November, adding Judge Barrett to the court will make it the most conservative it has been since the 1930s.

A vote is expected sometime after 6.30pm ET — 30 hours after the upper chamber of Congress voted to limit debate on the nomination. 

An outdoor swearing-in ceremony is planned at the White House at 9pm.

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Pence will not preside over vote

CNN reports that vice president Mike Pence is not expected to preside over the Amy Coney Barrett vote this evening, according to an aide.

Several members of Pence’s staff have tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend.

Earlier, chief of staff Mark Meadows said Pence’s presence at the vote was "in flux".

Oliver O'Connell26 October 2020 16:10
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White House defends hosting another Rose Garden event

Chief of staff Mark Meadows has defended the decision to host another event in the Rose Garden for Amy Coney Barrett.

The announcement of her nomination turned into a superspreader event for Covid-19, infecting dozens of people, including Donald Trump and the first lady.

Oliver O'Connell26 October 2020 16:20
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Fears for future of IVF with a conservative majority court

Judge Barrett has historically supported organisations who are against both birth control and the in vitro fertilization process.

When asked about her beliefs on IVF during her Senate nomination hearing this month, the conservative judge had avoided answering questions on the matter.

On that basis, America’s leading fertility doctors have spoken-out at president Donald Trump’s nomination, and argued that Ms Barret represented a step “backwards for womens' individual liberty."

Experts warn ACB is a threat to IVF

Ms Barrett has historically supported organisations who are against both birth control and the in vitro fertilization process

Oliver O'Connell26 October 2020 16:27
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Warren says GOP rushing through nomination because ‘American people are not on their side’

Says Warren: “Why rush through this nomination? Because the Republican Party is scared they can’t win through the democratic process. That they can’t win by playing by the rules. That they can’t win when the American people decide the outcome.”

Oliver O'Connell26 October 2020 16:30

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